SOCH Adds Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy to its Comprehensive Wound Care Center
Three years ago, Lynn Waszkiewicz, 55, of Barnegat, developed a small corn on her left toe. For most people, this seemingly minor health issue could be treated and healed within a matter of weeks. For Lynn, who suffers from diabetes, heart problems and small vessel disease, a minor annoyance soon became a major health problem.
“The corn got infected, and since then it has never really healed. When I had more tests they discovered I had a blocked artery in my lower left leg,” said Lynn, who had atherectomy surgery to remove the blockage.
According to Judy Braswell, RN, Program Manager for SOCH’s Hyperbaric Medicine Program, the blocked artery in Lynn’s leg was limiting the flow of oxygen-rich blood to her toes. Since oxygen is essential in helping wounds heal, the lack of oxygen made it difficult for Lynn’s body to heal the infected corn. “Blood carries oxygen throughout the body,” explained Judy. “In someone with circulatory problems, the blood has trouble getting to the wound, depriving that area of the oxygen it needs for tissue regrowth. As a result, the wound does not heal, and, as in cases like Lynn’s, it can become seriously infected, down to the bone.”
Last May, Lynn was admitted to SOCH was severe pain in her foot. She was diagnosed with osteomyelitis, a painful bone infection that can occur when the blood supply to that area of the bone is disrupted. Oseomyelitis that occurs in the toes or feet is usually associated with diabetes and narrowing of the arteries.
“After two weeks in the hospital, I started on antibiotic therapy, and my doctor wanted me to have hyperbaric oxygen therapy,” said Lynn. “I am so glad SOCH now offers this treatment, because I was traveling over an hour each way and spending $125 a week on gas and tolls to get to another facility.”
Lynn became the first patient to have Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy at SOCH. She required six weeks of treatment, every day, from Monday through Friday.
While wounds that won’t heal can cause significant pain and disability, the most devastating effect could be amputation of the effected limb. Hyperbaric Therapy gives patients the oxygen they need so that their wounds will heal, thus avoiding the need for amputation.
During the non-invasive therapy, the patient goes into a pressurized chamber where they will breathe 100 percent oxygen during the approximately two hour treatment. The combined effects of highly concentrated oxygen and increased pressure causes 10 to 15 times the usual amount of oxygen to dissolve in the blood, which gets more oxygen to the rest of the body.
“At the start of the treatment, while the oxygen is increasing, patients may feel a slight popping sensation in their ears, similar to the feeling of being on an airplane. They may feel this sensation again at the end of their treatment, as the oxygen pressure gradually decreases,” explained Judy. “For the majority of the time patients are in the chamber, they are quite relaxes. They can watch TV, listen to music or simply take a nap.”
If you or a loved one have a wound that won’t heal and would like more information about the SOCH Center for Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine, call SOSCHConnect at 609-978-3400.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy is a part of SOCH’s Center for Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine. SOCH takes a multi-disciplinary approach to wound care that offers patients extensive treatment from a professional team of health care providers, including:
- Vascular Surgeons
- General Surgeons
- Podiatrists
- Nurses
- Physical Therapists
- Hyperbaric Oxygen Techs
- Nutritional Counselors
- Social Services Professionals
Treatments include:
- Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
- Hydrotherapy
- Wound Cleansing & Wound Dressing
- Pulse Volume Recordings (PVRs)
- Electric Stimulation
- Doppler Studies
- Patient Education
Physicians Providing Medical Supervision for the SOCH Center for Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine:
Jeffery Hager, DO, Vascular Surgeon
Medical Director
Eric Baskin, DPM, Podiatrist
James Giannakaros, DPM, Podiatrist
Sergey Grachev, MD, Surgeon
Thomas Lembo, DPM, Podiatrist
Gary Lengel, MD, Surgeon
Jeffery Mazzatta, DPM, Podiatrist
Carey Penrod, DO, Vascular Surgeon
For more information about Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, call SOCHConnect at 609-978-3400.
Date posted: 06/28/07 @ 3:00 pm
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